Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1887-03-25
R L RI B U ITO N
BY "THE DUCHESS"
CHAPTER XVIII.


"Whcrc!" cxclRims Milliccnt, ns much
taken aback rs even Lady Valworth can
desire.
Ground Nadinc's neck"
"Ol, You must have been mistaken!
How could Nadine have diamond cross
Of such valuc,"
"How, indeed! She said she had been
given il by that man TO whom sho Is en-
gagcl--Pnul Anncrley"
"a city clerk! Impossiblc! Dearest
aunt, you may bo sure you have made d
mistake. These French jcwciries arc so
good nowadays. They copy so exactly
the fine old designs that ono is cnsily de-
ceivcd when brought face 10 face with
them"
"No; am moi deceived" says Lady
Nalworth. Her tone is that of one who is
sure Of her argument. 1t is, indeed, SO
strong. so unlike tho usually vacillating
Lady Nnlwortl,, that Millcent is struck
byit. "Tt is my cross-thc ono belonging
10 the diamond set Sir Thomas gave me
on my marriage, that is hanging around
her neck"
"But how could Nadincn-
"lf you doubt it," snid Lady Vnlworth,
with sudden veheincnce, '.lct me hnve IN
authority to prove that what say is
right. Call Sir Thomas. lie Is over
there. ASK MIN" dear Lady Val
worth, but yOu know you would not like
TO distress Miss Roche" puts in Gerald
Niassarccnc who has been pctforce list
encr 10 the disclosure and who now feels
Inc must take n prominent part in the dis
cussion.
He is amply rewarded for his interfer-
cncc by TN eloquent lcols from NIillicent.
"Truc-truc" says Lady Enlworth
signing. ~ shall not spcnlk TO Sir
Thomas now but by and by shall cnll
his attention to it. Good heavens! Milli-
cent this may mean the recovery of the
whole sct.''
"uardly think. These matters drift.
by piccemcnl they enter the windows of
respectable jclwclers, and all the research
in the world will not bring to light the
real offenders"
''Still, it gives hope. I shall examine
mot now-not until tomorrow night
has gone over our heads!" entrcats Milli-
cent. eagerly, willing to spare Nadine Il
shock. why would you make unhappy
guest in your house on the very eve of
Grants birthnight bail?''
This is the very argument OF nil others
TO gain over i.udy Valworth to her WAY of
thinking.
eyes. All should go smoothly for
Grant," says Grants mother thought
fully. "And Nadine-she-shc may not
be to blame"
"May not:" Millicent's eyes grow dark
with indignant rcproach. "What can
you mean by such speech us that:
Nadinci Do You for one instant believe
that she has'had Gny part in this strange
story of which you speaks"
My dear child, would not hurt YOU
in nny way, as you well know-not even
through another. And as for Nadine,
you can see yourself how highly esteem
her."
"Ilighly indeed, when you can hint at
scandal in connection with her."
II have hintcd Mt nothing. / confess
am horribly distressed ut seeing INV
OWN cross rouud anothcr's neck. Do You
biamc me for that!'
In her distress at having brought down
the anger of her sons 1anccc upon her
licad. and her agitation at seeing again q
portion Of her lost diamonds, poor LADY
Nalworth Is reduced TO the very verge of
despair.
BE reasonable, NIillicent. AT least,
grant me justice. have said nothing to
Nadine. WHY should !, when deem her
innocent' Yet the connecting link be-
tween me and the robbcr of my diamonds
lies with her"
VIII not have her connected with this
affair i'll any way" cries A1illiccnt, holly,
tears in her eyes. ain seeking for your
missing link, you will incriminatc her,
and terrify her and mako her wrctched.
And she Inns had nothing to do with it.
Hns shc!'
She turns almost defiantly upon Massa-
recne, who mp to this has been silent.
"Do you think she has,"
ga thousand times nor declares he
gently. miss Roche and deceit OF any
Kind seem to me Us fur apart us the poles.
1t stands TO reason, too, that il she had
known anything of the lost diamonds, she
would hardly have worn them here"
He is so earnest, SO eager In his speech,
that Milliccnt, with her eyes full OF tears,
lays her hand OIL his. This act rcpays
, him for many things, and makes him
trcbly Madness friend. And his nrgu-
ment, too goes home to Lady Valworth,
80 that two causes are gained. If the
latter had cver permitted herself TO have
any doubts, they now vanish into moth
inEness, and only Madness pale, pure face
rises before her. On euch face no guilt
could lie!
"My dear, meant nothng-nothing,
80 far as Nadine is conccrnedI' she cries
in agitation; "but, of course. 1t Is only
natural that should desire the return OF
my dicnionds-SirT Thomas diamonds. II
Nadine can help me to solution of this
difficulty, 1 shall forever hold her in my
debt"